NASCAR Thunder 2004

Advertising Blurbs

ART IMITATES LIFE: EA INTRODUCES “GRUDGES AND ALLIANCES,” WHERE THE COMPETITION REACTS TO HARD- DRIVING





NASCAR THUNDER 2004 Ships On Four Platforms



Redwood City, Calif., September 16, 2003 – Against the backdrop of several high-profile driver feuds in the real world of championship racing, Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that NASCAR Thunder’ 2004 from EA SPORTS’ is available in stores with the all-new “Grudges and Alliances” feature. The game lets a user race the pack with intelligent computer drivers who react to an individual’s driving style: aggressive driving that takes out competitors brings swift retaliation, while clean, cooperative driving is rewarded with alliances that can help the player take the checkered flag. Grudges and Alliances are especially important in season and career modes, where friendly relationships or bad blood over the course of a season can be the difference between winning and losing.

NASCAR Thunder 2004 also features EA SPORTS’ Nation online gameplay* for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the first ever console NASCAR® game to include online racing. Online racing features include online ranking, text chat, and EA SPORTS’ Talk** that allows users to talk to each other in-game (broadband only). Dial-up is available for peer-to-peer racing.

Developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon, NASCAR Thunder 2004 is available for the PlayStation 2 console, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, PC CD-ROM, and the PlayStation® console. NASCAR Thunder 2004 is rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB.

NASCAR Thunder, the best-selling NASCAR video game series from EA is in its seventh year of production. The series has sold more than 9 million units to date since its debut with NASCAR® 98.

EA SPORTS’ 500 at Talladega® NASCAR Thunder 2004 features the EA SPORTS’ 500 race, a stop on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series at Alabama’s Talladega Superspeedway®. This year’s race takes place on September 28, 2003.

About Electronic Arts Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of $2.5 billion for fiscal 2003. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS’, EA GAMES’, and EA SPORTS BIG’. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

ABOUT NASCAR® Licensing The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, NASCAR, is the sanctioning body for one of America’s premier sports. With 75 million fans spread throughout the U.S. and ranking second among sports on television and third in licensed product sales, NASCAR has catapulted into the American mainstream. The passion and brand loyalty of NASCAR fans have attracted many of the best known brands in America: more Fortune 500 companies are involved in NASCAR than any other sport. Based in Daytona Beach, Fl, with offices in Charlotte, New York and Los Angeles, NASCAR sanctions 1,800 races at 120 tracks in 38 states.

*PlayStation 2 online play requires Internet connection and Network Adaptor for PlayStation 2 (sold separately). For more information on the PlayStation 2 online features for NASCAR Thunder 2004, go to www.nascarthunder2004.com. **USB Headset and Broadband connection required.

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Contributed by skl (1163) on Feb 26, 2004.

NASCAR Thunder 2004 brings emotion to racing for the first time with Grudges & Alliances. Now, competitors remember how youÂ’ve driven against them and arenÂ’t afraid to pay you back!


Contributed by Corn Popper (66200) on Nov 21, 2003.

RACE THE PACK,
NOT THE TRACK



ELECTRIFYING PACK RACING

THRILLING ACTION

65 EVENTS AND 12 ROAD COURSES

7 GAMEPLAY MODES

FEATURES


• NEW GRUDGES & ALLIANCES
  Share drafts to build alliances or drive aggressively and fear retaliation. Either way, these drivers remember your actions and aren't afraid to pay you back.
  
  
• ALL-NEW EA SPORTS ONLINE
  Race online for the first time ever and intimidate your opponenets as you chat in-game with EA SPORTS Talk.
  
  
• 20-SEASON CAREER MODE
  Make the decisions to master sponsorships, team management, car construction, and R&D while building a race dynasty.
  
  
• NEW SPEEDZONE
  Hone your driving skills with mini-games including passing, blocking, drafting, and time trials.
  
  
• NEW EA SPORTS BIO
  Unlock special rewards in NASCAR Thunder 2004 by playing multiple titles including Madden NFL 2004, NBA Live 2004, and more.
  

  Contributed by Corn Popper (66200) on Sep 22, 2003.

RACE THE PACK,
NOT THE TRACK

Electrifying pack racing
Thrilling action
65 events and 12 road courses
6 gameplay modes

Features

• NEW GRUDGES & ALLIANCES
  Share drafts to build alliances or drive aggressively and fear retaliation. Either way, these drivers remember your actions and aren't afraid to pay you back.
• 20-SEASON CAREER MODE
  Make the decisions to master sponsorships, team management, car construction, and R&D while building a race dynasty.
• NEW SPEEDZONE
  Hone your driving skills with mini-games including passing, blocking, drafting, and time trials.
• NEW LIGHTNING CHALLENGES
  Michael Waltrip challenges you to survive over 40 of NASCAR's most exciting racing moments.
• NEW EA SPORTS BIO
  Unlock special rewards in NASCAR Thunder 2004 by playing multiple titles including Madden NFL 2004, NBA Live 2004 and more.



Contributed by JPaterson (9127) on Sep 17, 2003.